SAVANT, the vanguard of SA's information and communications technology and electronics (ICTE) sectors, has announced a sustainability programme to accommodate new partners, secure fresh business opportunities and ensure the process of both local and international industry awareness, growth and development.
In a public demonstration of unity, SAVANT, in association with the Department of Trade and Industry and industry representative bodies, including the Black IT Forum (BITF), Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA), Electronics Industry Federation (EIF), International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), Information Industry South Africa, Information Technology Association (ITA), The South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) and The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) used the 25th Annual Computer Faire as a platform to introduce the programme.
Angelo Manzoni, Senior Manager ICTE Unit at Trade Investment SA (TISA), explained the background and relevance of the programme, and the impact it is likely to have on the industry as a whole.
"We are excited about SAVANT and its future. This brand awareness and marketing initiative has come a long way in a very short space of time and, as we near the completion of phase one, we are pleased to introduce a viable plan that will help to ensure a smooth transition into and beyond phase two. The sustainability plan provides a solid framework that allows for new members to actively participate and contribute towards what is ultimately beneficial for the whole industry," says Manzoni.
Phase one of the SAVANT initiative focused on the local awareness, the establishment of effective online presence, and the creation of a powerful, dynamic Web portal. The design, construction and successful implementation of www.savant.co.za was a crucial first step and this is now fully operational and characterised by news, feedback, membership facility and general information. Phase two is characterised by the sustainability programme and generating business opportunities for the SA ICTE sectors.
"This is an exciting and fundamental part of the initiative. Our aim is to market the best-of-the-best, the cream of SA's ICTE sector. The sustainability program forms the foundation of our strategy to promote and advertise local companies, products and services as well as ensure the process is able to meet challenges head on. We want the world to sit up and take notice of what we have to offer and we should be proud of our achievements to date. Although we are a diverse, largely fragmented sector - we do have a unique opportunity with SAVANT to bolster our image and place South Africa on the world's technology map, once and for all," says Adrian Schofield, Chairperson of the SAVANT executive committee.
"Our goals remain unchanged. We have positioned ourselves to open up new marketing frontiers and solicit trade and business opportunities through fresh links and effective communication," adds Schofield.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Alec Erwin says the credibility of the initiative as a means to actively promote SA applied innovation has grown substantially since its launch in March.
"It would be fair to say, even at this early stage of development, that we have successfully grabbed the attention of key role players, industry representatives and companies that see the value in what we are trying to achieve. Traditionally, the ICTE sector has shied away from the proactive marketing of its product, services and cases of successfully applied innovation. The fact is SA can compete with any destination in the world as far as influential assimilation of technology in every-day life is concerned," says Erwin.
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